For over 4 years, The National Incarceration Association (NIA) has worked tirelessly helping families navigate their journey through the criminal justice system and to restore them back to a level of healing and dignity.

Show your support for our mission by donating to NIA on the nation's biggest day of giving; #GivingTuesday on November 27, 2018. We are kicking off with the Georgia Center of Nonprofits "Georgia Gives" Campaign so you don't have to wait, you can start giving today!

Your contribution will make a huge difference for families crying out to us for help. We are seeking to raise $10,000 to expand on our call-in support center. We will enhance our intake capacity and better follow up with every call, one call, one family at a time.

Our work begins with empathy, continues with your stories, and ends with changing lives.

Stories like Sharoina's:

"I am so thankful you answered the phone, it was a blessing speaking with you, because I don't know what else to do. I look forward to meeting you and I pray you'll be able to help my son. If there is anything I need to be doing please let me know. I sincerely felt you as a Mom, thank you sooooo much!"

For over 4 years, The National Incarceration Association (NIA) has worked tirelessly helping families navigate their journey through the criminal justice system and to restore them back to a level of healing and dignity.

Show your support for our mission by donating to NIA on the nation's biggest day of giving; #GivingTuesday on November 27, 2018. We are kicking off with the Georgia Center of Nonprofits "Georgia Gives" Campaign so you don't have to wait, you can start giving today!

Your contribution will make a huge difference for families crying out to us for help. We are seeking to raise $10,000 to expand on our call-in support center. We will enhance our intake capacity and better follow up with every call, one call, one family at a time.

Our work begins with empathy, continues with your stories, and ends with changing lives.

Stories like Sharoina's:

"I am so thankful you answered the phone, it was a blessing speaking with you, because I don't know what else to do. I look forward to meeting you and I pray you'll be able to help my son. If there is anything I need to be doing please let me know. I sincerely felt you as a Mom, thank you sooooo much!"

Runner registration fee:
$30 until 10 days before the event
$40 - 9 days before event
$50 - day of event

How Can You Help

Everyone has a story and yours is powerful.
Please click the box above and tell us your story! We can weave these together to drive meaningful change.
One story. One family at a time.Join the NIA #IAMinc

Calling all Volunteers!
Looking to help us grow? Please send an email to info@joinNIA.com to let us know!

Sign Up!
If a friend passed the NIA Action Call Newsletter on to you thensign up for free today!

Buy a T-Shirt
We will be adding more options to our store soon but you can buy a T-Shirt today by clickinghere!

Runner registration fee:
$30 until 10 days before the event
$40 - 9 days before event
$50 - day of event

How Can You Help

Everyone has a story and yours is powerful.
Please click the box above and tell us your story! We can weave these together to drive meaningful change.
One story. One family at a time.Join the NIA #IAMinc

Calling all Volunteers!
Looking to help us grow? Please send an email to info@joinNIA.com to let us know!

Sign Up!
If a friend passed the NIA Action Call Newsletter on to you thensign up for free today!

Buy a T-Shirt
We will be adding more options to our store soon but you can buy a T-Shirt today by clickinghere!

]]>Thu, 04 Oct 2018 17:01:10 +0000https://mailchi.mp/d3da20149b2b/freedom-to-be-an-authentic-american
https://mailchi.mp/d3da20149b2b/freedom-to-be-an-authentic-americanFreedom To be an Authentic American As a little girl I recited the Pledge of Allegiance very morning before school....

I was born in the Midwest from somewhat humble beginnings. At the tender age of 5 we moved to New England where I began school. Every morning we placed our right hand over our hearts and said the Pledge of Allegiance. It was so automatic that we became numb to what it really said.

Your generous donations help us to continue the important work of helping families navigate the criminal justice system. Donate today!

NIA on the Move

Members of the CAP along with Commissioner Dozier and his team

The NIA has been a proud member of the Georgia Department of Corrections Citizen Advisory Panel (CAP) since its inception in August of 2015. We have been meeting with the Commissioner and his leadership staff and learned many of the workings of GDC. CAP slowly developed some legs and we did accomplish a few good things, but at our last meeting June 20th we all agreed that there was still much that needed to be done.

Commissioner Dozier created a policy allowing CAP to continue and he will be appointing a new panel soon. We are grateful that he continues to see how important the families role is and how we can help identify the real issues that our loved ones face.

The NIA will continue to present our concerns as we hear it from families to the new members of CAP.

NIA Pushing Results

We will be doing a two year review of what the NIA has been doing and where we are headed. Thanks to all of our committed families for their support and love. We are growing movement and we can’t do it without all of you. #IAMinc

Get Involved!

ONLY YOU
can Move the Movement
Is progress still moving too slow for you? Ask us how to make a difference.
Let's talk at info@joinNIA.com

Sign Up for the Movement
If a friend passed the NIA Action Call Newsletter on to you then sign up for free today!

Wear the Movement
We will be adding more options to our store soon but you can buy a T-Shirt today by clicking here!

I was born in the Midwest from somewhat humble beginnings. At the tender age of 5 we moved to New England where I began school. Every morning we placed our right hand over our hearts and said the Pledge of Allegiance. It was so automatic that we became numb to what it really said.

Your generous donations help us to continue the important work of helping families navigate the criminal justice system. Donate today!

NIA on the Move

Members of the CAP along with Commissioner Dozier and his team

The NIA has been a proud member of the Georgia Department of Corrections Citizen Advisory Panel (CAP) since its inception in August of 2015. We have been meeting with the Commissioner and his leadership staff and learned many of the workings of GDC. CAP slowly developed some legs and we did accomplish a few good things, but at our last meeting June 20th we all agreed that there was still much that needed to be done.

Commissioner Dozier created a policy allowing CAP to continue and he will be appointing a new panel soon. We are grateful that he continues to see how important the families role is and how we can help identify the real issues that our loved ones face.

The NIA will continue to present our concerns as we hear it from families to the new members of CAP.

NIA Pushing Results

We will be doing a two year review of what the NIA has been doing and where we are headed. Thanks to all of our committed families for their support and love. We are growing movement and we can’t do it without all of you. #IAMinc

Get Involved!

ONLY YOU
can Move the Movement
Is progress still moving too slow for you? Ask us how to make a difference.
Let's talk at info@joinNIA.com

Sign Up for the Movement
If a friend passed the NIA Action Call Newsletter on to you then sign up for free today!

Wear the Movement
We will be adding more options to our store soon but you can buy a T-Shirt today by clicking here!

Today is the day to honor those who have fallen in battles fought for our country. While we do so we must also recognize those who have served our country and now sit in our jails and prisons with PTSD caused by the trauma they witnessed during war.

"These veterans are not typically criminals prior to their military service. However, as a result of their experience in the military — particularly those who were deployed to a combat zone — some of them have difficulty adjusting to civilian life when they return home. Too many of these veterans self-medicate with alcohol or hard drugs to deal with their wartime experiences. Unfortunately, some of these men and women become involved in the criminal justice system." Read more.

At the county court in Waukesha, Wis., in September, Iraq veteran David Carlson sat before a judge hoping he hadn't run out of second chances. Read more.

The NIA supports families during this difficult journey, please support The NIA with your tax deductible donations.

NIA Feature Column

Memorial Day in Full Measure

“I guess I want people to know that while they certainly fought for their country, they died protecting their buddies.” Perhaps then, the greatest wish of the fallen hero would be to continue to care for his buddies – those still alive, still struggling to adjust. To make things right and to make them whole." Read More

Your tax deductible donations allows the NIA to support families during the difficult journey of incarceration!

Move the Movement

Calling all Volunteers!
Looking to help us grow? Please send an email to info@joinNIA.com to let us know!

Sign Up!
If a friend passed the NIA Action Call Newsletter on to you then sign up for free today!

Buy a T-Shirt
We will be adding more options to our store soon but you can buy a T-Shirt today by clicking here!

Today is the day to honor those who have fallen in battles fought for our country. While we do so we must also recognize those who have served our country and now sit in our jails and prisons with PTSD caused by the trauma they witnessed during war.

"These veterans are not typically criminals prior to their military service. However, as a result of their experience in the military — particularly those who were deployed to a combat zone — some of them have difficulty adjusting to civilian life when they return home. Too many of these veterans self-medicate with alcohol or hard drugs to deal with their wartime experiences. Unfortunately, some of these men and women become involved in the criminal justice system." Read more.

At the county court in Waukesha, Wis., in September, Iraq veteran David Carlson sat before a judge hoping he hadn't run out of second chances. Read more.

The NIA supports families during this difficult journey, please support The NIA with your tax deductible donations.

NIA Feature Column

Memorial Day in Full Measure

“I guess I want people to know that while they certainly fought for their country, they died protecting their buddies.” Perhaps then, the greatest wish of the fallen hero would be to continue to care for his buddies – those still alive, still struggling to adjust. To make things right and to make them whole." Read More

Your tax deductible donations allows the NIA to support families during the difficult journey of incarceration!

Move the Movement

Calling all Volunteers!
Looking to help us grow? Please send an email to info@joinNIA.com to let us know!

Sign Up!
If a friend passed the NIA Action Call Newsletter on to you then sign up for free today!

Buy a T-Shirt
We will be adding more options to our store soon but you can buy a T-Shirt today by clicking here!

]]>Mon, 28 May 2018 15:39:57 +0000https://mailchi.mp/04cede3450f3/dear-mothers-a-mothers-day-message
https://mailchi.mp/04cede3450f3/dear-mothers-a-mothers-day-messageDear Mothers - A Mothers Day MessageIf you ask any mother what is most important to her, she will respond with absolute conviction “my children.”

Never has society focused on a mother’s life after her child has been incarcerated until now. In this heart-wrenching memoir, Tosha shares a highly-detailed journey of how she propelled through the physical and mental exhaustion of dealing with a dying mother and a prodigal son. She spent endless hours fighting to keep her oldest son, BJ, out of the realm of juvenile delinquency. Read More

How Can You Help?

Your generous donations will allow us to continue to help mothers and families navigate the complicated and overwhelming criminal justice system. Please donate today.

Everyone has a story and yours is powerful.
Please click the box above and tell us your story! We can weave these together to drive meaningful change.
One story. One family at a time.Join the NIA #IAMinc

Calling all Volunteers!
Looking to help us grow? Please send an email to info@joinNIA.com to let us know!

Sign Up!
If a friend passed the NIA Action Call Newsletter on to you thensign up for free today!

Buy a T-Shirt
We will be adding more options to our store soon but you can buy a T-Shirt today by clickinghere!

Never has society focused on a mother’s life after her child has been incarcerated until now. In this heart-wrenching memoir, Tosha shares a highly-detailed journey of how she propelled through the physical and mental exhaustion of dealing with a dying mother and a prodigal son. She spent endless hours fighting to keep her oldest son, BJ, out of the realm of juvenile delinquency. Read More

How Can You Help?

Your generous donations will allow us to continue to help mothers and families navigate the complicated and overwhelming criminal justice system. Please donate today.

Everyone has a story and yours is powerful.
Please click the box above and tell us your story! We can weave these together to drive meaningful change.
One story. One family at a time.Join the NIA #IAMinc

Calling all Volunteers!
Looking to help us grow? Please send an email to info@joinNIA.com to let us know!

Sign Up!
If a friend passed the NIA Action Call Newsletter on to you thensign up for free today!

Buy a T-Shirt
We will be adding more options to our store soon but you can buy a T-Shirt today by clickinghere!

We must support The First Step Act. HB 3356

Formerly called the Prison Reform and Redemption Act, the bill will expand the capacity of prison programming to ensure that individuals inside can benefit from counseling, drug treatment, training and education. By participating in programming, individuals will credits that allow them to shorten the amount of time they spend in prison and release back to their communities and families sooner - via expanded use of home confinement.

This bill will immediately make thousands of people in federal prison eligible for early release - by fixing a good time credit calculation retroactively. Going forward, men and women in incarcerated federal prison will earn nearly 8 weeks (54 days) per year off of their sentence for good time.

Additionally, thousands more will soon become eligible to move from Bureau of Prisons facilities into home detention as a result of the expansion of the elderly prisoner pilot program - which gives people 60 years or older who have served more than 2/3 of their sentence an opportunity to serve the remainder of their sentence on home confinement.

Thousands more will be able to earn time credits for participating in programming and counseling - these credits will allow them to transfer out of prisons sooner to complete their sentences in home confinement—with their families and children. Most people will be able to earn 10 days of credit for every 30 days of programming.

Importantly, it will also place additional layers of accountability and oversight within the federal bureau of prisons.

Find Your Representative

Don't know who your representative is?
Click here to find out and call them today to tell them you support this bill!

How Can You Help?

Everyone has a story and yours is powerful.
Please click the box above and tell us your story! We can weave these together to drive meaningful change.
One story. One family at a time.Join the NIA #IAMinc

Calling all Volunteers!
Looking to help us grow? Please send an email to info@joinNIA.com to let us know!

Sign Up!
If a friend passed the NIA Action Call Newsletter on to you thensign up for free today!

Buy a T-Shirt
We will be adding more options to our store soon but you can buy a T-Shirt today by clickinghere!

We must support The First Step Act. HB 3356

Formerly called the Prison Reform and Redemption Act, the bill will expand the capacity of prison programming to ensure that individuals inside can benefit from counseling, drug treatment, training and education. By participating in programming, individuals will credits that allow them to shorten the amount of time they spend in prison and release back to their communities and families sooner - via expanded use of home confinement.

This bill will immediately make thousands of people in federal prison eligible for early release - by fixing a good time credit calculation retroactively. Going forward, men and women in incarcerated federal prison will earn nearly 8 weeks (54 days) per year off of their sentence for good time.

Additionally, thousands more will soon become eligible to move from Bureau of Prisons facilities into home detention as a result of the expansion of the elderly prisoner pilot program - which gives people 60 years or older who have served more than 2/3 of their sentence an opportunity to serve the remainder of their sentence on home confinement.

Thousands more will be able to earn time credits for participating in programming and counseling - these credits will allow them to transfer out of prisons sooner to complete their sentences in home confinement—with their families and children. Most people will be able to earn 10 days of credit for every 30 days of programming.

Importantly, it will also place additional layers of accountability and oversight within the federal bureau of prisons.

Find Your Representative

Don't know who your representative is?
Click here to find out and call them today to tell them you support this bill!

How Can You Help?

Everyone has a story and yours is powerful.
Please click the box above and tell us your story! We can weave these together to drive meaningful change.
One story. One family at a time.Join the NIA #IAMinc

Calling all Volunteers!
Looking to help us grow? Please send an email to info@joinNIA.com to let us know!

Sign Up!
If a friend passed the NIA Action Call Newsletter on to you thensign up for free today!

Buy a T-Shirt
We will be adding more options to our store soon but you can buy a T-Shirt today by clickinghere!

]]>Mon, 07 May 2018 20:07:58 +0000https://mailchi.mp/252237ab8876/mom-to-the-rescue
https://mailchi.mp/252237ab8876/mom-to-the-rescueMom To The Rescue None of these moms really having the time or the resources. But they are mothers

That’s the truth. Old and young, men and women, black, white, Hispanic, you name it. They all call me “Momma Kate.” I didn’t become Momma Kate alone. Momma Kate is part of a small package of mammas who devote a lot of attention to the incarcerated and their families. None of these mammas really having the time or the resources. But they are mothers – a special band of such, no doubt – and instinctively they can’t turn their backs on a family in distress.... Read More

Spotlight on Reform

Sharon Ricks is the Regional Health Administrator for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a true friend of the NIA.

Stay Connected. Stay Strong!
The summit was hosted at Morehouse School of Medicine on April 13, 2018.

Ms. Ricks was instrumental in putting together this full day summit focusing on empowering families impacted by incarceration with strategies, tools, and resources needed to Stay Connected and to Stay Strong.

Fifteen community partners spoke to an audience of over 200 people, with NIA families showing up wearing their orange bracelets. Among those, Michelle & Tori Boatright, Janis Mann and Kate Boccia were panelists.

Representatives from the Georgia Department of Corrections and the Georgia Department of Community Service were there with Valencia Miller, Fulton County Coordinator with DCS as one of the presenters.

We will be briefing with the strategic advisors on the steering committee and identifying next steps and actions to continue growing the resources for families.

Our personal thanks to Ms. Ricks for her compassion and empathy for the families who love someone in prison and for using her voice to engage others in meaningful conversations.

NIA Pushing Results

Meet Truth Graf

Truth learned of the NIA in the last months of her 7 year prison sentence because of her addiction driven non-violent drug offense.

"When my friend handed me Kate's card a bolt of lightening went right up my arm and I knew then and there that I had to meet her" says Truth.

Two years later with the love and encouragement from her NIA Family, Truth opened her own business. Truth's Place, A Recovery Space .

Whether new to recovery, in long-term recovery, after a relapse, or transitioning from a difficult life change such as jail/prison, Truth's Place is a safe space of support and stability for all individuals seeking to break the cycle of destruction and despair.

" I will not pull you or drag you through recovery; but I will walk beside you and together we will find peace."

We are so proud of Truth!

NIA On The Move

The NIA Families refuse to allow reform fatigue set in!

Save The Date

Georgia Families on the approved visitation list have the opportunity to meet with Commissioner Dozier, Regional Wardens, Wardens and service providers like JPay and Securus. Read more.

Get Involved!

ONLY YOU
can Move the Movement
Is progress still moving too slow for you? Ask us how to make a difference.
Let's talk at info@joinNIA.com

Sign Up for the Movement
If a friend passed the NIA Action Call Newsletter on to you then sign up for free today!

Wear the Movement
We will be adding more options to our store soon but you can buy a T-Shirt today by clicking here!

That’s the truth. Old and young, men and women, black, white, Hispanic, you name it. They all call me “Momma Kate.” I didn’t become Momma Kate alone. Momma Kate is part of a small package of mammas who devote a lot of attention to the incarcerated and their families. None of these mammas really having the time or the resources. But they are mothers – a special band of such, no doubt – and instinctively they can’t turn their backs on a family in distress.... Read More

Spotlight on Reform

Sharon Ricks is the Regional Health Administrator for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a true friend of the NIA.

Stay Connected. Stay Strong!
The summit was hosted at Morehouse School of Medicine on April 13, 2018.

Ms. Ricks was instrumental in putting together this full day summit focusing on empowering families impacted by incarceration with strategies, tools, and resources needed to Stay Connected and to Stay Strong.

Fifteen community partners spoke to an audience of over 200 people, with NIA families showing up wearing their orange bracelets. Among those, Michelle & Tori Boatright, Janis Mann and Kate Boccia were panelists.

Representatives from the Georgia Department of Corrections and the Georgia Department of Community Service were there with Valencia Miller, Fulton County Coordinator with DCS as one of the presenters.

We will be briefing with the strategic advisors on the steering committee and identifying next steps and actions to continue growing the resources for families.

Our personal thanks to Ms. Ricks for her compassion and empathy for the families who love someone in prison and for using her voice to engage others in meaningful conversations.

NIA Pushing Results

Meet Truth Graf

Truth learned of the NIA in the last months of her 7 year prison sentence because of her addiction driven non-violent drug offense.

"When my friend handed me Kate's card a bolt of lightening went right up my arm and I knew then and there that I had to meet her" says Truth.

Two years later with the love and encouragement from her NIA Family, Truth opened her own business. Truth's Place, A Recovery Space .

Whether new to recovery, in long-term recovery, after a relapse, or transitioning from a difficult life change such as jail/prison, Truth's Place is a safe space of support and stability for all individuals seeking to break the cycle of destruction and despair.

" I will not pull you or drag you through recovery; but I will walk beside you and together we will find peace."

We are so proud of Truth!

NIA On The Move

The NIA Families refuse to allow reform fatigue set in!

Save The Date

Georgia Families on the approved visitation list have the opportunity to meet with Commissioner Dozier, Regional Wardens, Wardens and service providers like JPay and Securus. Read more.

Get Involved!

ONLY YOU
can Move the Movement
Is progress still moving too slow for you? Ask us how to make a difference.
Let's talk at info@joinNIA.com

Sign Up for the Movement
If a friend passed the NIA Action Call Newsletter on to you then sign up for free today!

Wear the Movement
We will be adding more options to our store soon but you can buy a T-Shirt today by clicking here!